Vertical shaft sinking is a complex engineering operation that requires coordination of multiple subsystems within a confined shaft space. A complete shaft sinking system consists of five core systems: hoisting, suspension, drilling, mucking, and lining. Hoisting and suspension capabilities determine the upper limit of sinking speed, while drilling and mucking efficiency directly affect the cycle time.
Hoisting System
The shaft sinking hoisting system consists of kibbles, hook head assemblies, hoisting wire ropes, sheaves, hoists, and guide ropes. It handles muck discharge, material lowering, and personnel transfer. Shaft sinking hoists are temporarily installed for easy relocation. Kibble capacity ranges from 0.5 to 3 tons, with larger kibbles and hoists used in bigger diameter shafts. Wanfeng manufactures hook-type kibbles, bottom-discharge kibbles, hook head assemblies, and hoisting sheaves to meet various shaft diameter requirements.
Suspension System
The suspension system consists of wire ropes, sheaves, and sinking winches. It suspends stages, formwork, air ducts, drainage pipes, and grab loaders, with multiple winches coordinated through a centralized control system. Wanfeng's JZ/2JZ sinking winches offer a pulling force of 50-500kN and rope capacity of 300-1,000 meters, equipped with planetary gear reducers and hydraulic disc brakes.
Drilling System
Drilling operations typically use shaft jumbos equipped with multiple hydraulic rock drills, commonly 6 to 9 drills per unit, with drilling depths reaching over 4 meters. Wanfeng's FJD series shaft jumbos are available in 6-arm and 8-arm configurations, powered by compressed air with hydraulic transmission. They drill blast holes, drain holes, exploratory holes, and grout holes.
Mucking System
The mucking system uses grab loaders and kibbles in coordination. Grab loaders pick up blasted rock and load it into kibbles, which are then hoisted to the surface. Wanfeng's center-rotary grab loaders are hydraulically driven with 0.4-0.6m³ grab buckets, capable of grabbing, slewing, and lifting in one coordinated action, suitable for shafts over 4 meters in diameter.
Lining System
The lining system uses integral metal formwork for concrete pouring. The formwork is suspended by sinking winches and lowered to the working face, positioned hydraulically before concrete placement. Formwork section height is typically 3.3 to 4 meters. Wanfeng's vertical shaft moving metal formwork uses hydraulic stripping and integral downward movement for continuous shaft wall concreting.
All subsystems of a shaft sinking system are closely interconnected, and equipment selection directly impacts construction efficiency and safety. Hebi Wanfeng's products cover multiple key stages of shaft sinking, providing comprehensive equipment support. For more information, please contact the Wanfeng team.
Wynne Wang
Foreign Trade Manager
Hebi Wanfeng Mining Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
WhatsApp/Tel:+86 13839216889
Email: wynne@wf-cn.com
Website: www.mininghoist.com
